Designation USBR 6310-09

Procedure for Determining Permeability

of Rock Core — Flow Pump Permeability
Test
This procedure is under the jurisdiction of the Materials Engineering and
Research Laboratory, code 86-68180, Technical Service Center, Denver,
Colorado. The procedure is issued under the fixed designation USBR 6310. The
number immediately following the designation indicates the first year of acceptance
or the year of last revision.

1.Scope

1.1 Explanation.-This designation 1.6 Sources.-This designation

establishes the guidelines, reflects the information available
requirements, and procedure for from ASTM and Reclamation (see
determining permeability of rock section 2).
specimens using a flow pump
permeability test. 2.Applicable Documents

1.2 Context.-This designation is 2.1USBR Procedures:

described in the context of obtaining USBR 1008Calibrating Linear
data for designing, constructing, or Variable Differential
maintaining Reclamation structures. Transformers

1.3 Application.-This designation USBR 1012 Calibrating Balances or

applies to intact hard and soft rock Scales
test specimens.
USBR 1050 Calibrating Pressure
1.4 Units.-The values stated in Transducers
SI/metric (inch-pound) units are to be
regarded as standard. USBR 1055 Calibrating Differential
Pressure Transducers
1.5 Caveats.-This designation does
not purport to address all the safety USBR 1450 Calibrating Triaxial-
issues associated with its use, and Type Chambers for
may involve use of hazardous Pressure-Volume
materials, equipment, and operations. Change Relations
The user has the responsibility to
establish and adopt appropriate safety USBR 3000 Using Significant Digits
and health practices. Also, the user in Calculating and
must comply with prevalent Reporting Laboratory
regulatory codes while using this Data
procedure.
 USBR 6258-09

USBR 3910 Standard Terms and coefficient of permeability of the rock

Symbols Relating to specimen is calculated.
Rock Mechanics
4.Significance and Use
USBR 5300 Determining Moisture
Content of Soil and The permeability of rock is an
Rock by the Oven important property that is used for the
Method classification of rock and in the
design of structures in, on, or with
USBR 5750 Performing rock. This test method is designed to
Consolidation- measure the permeability of rock that
Undrained Triaxial have permeabilities as low as 1 x 10-8
Shear Testing of Soils cm/s (0.001 foot/year) and aid
projects in which low permeability
USBR 6010 Handling, Storage, coefficients need to be quantitatively
Shipment, Inspection determined. Permeability tests using
and Photographing of the flow pump permeability technique
Rock Core can be performed under a low
gradient (i < 5). Flow pump
USBR 6020 Preparing Rock permeability testing can accurately
Specimens for obtain permeability coefficients more
Laboratory quickly (in minutes and hours) than
Compression Testing conventional permeability testing
techniques, such as constant head and
USBR 9300 Procedure for Checking, falling head (in weeks).
Rounding, and
Reporting of Note 1.-Because flow pump
Laboratory Data permeability tests can be performed in
a short time compared to constant
2.2ASTM Documents: head or falling head tests, they
ASTM D 4525Test Method for enhance laboratory productivity.
Permeability of Rock
by Flowing Air 5.Description of Terms Specific to
This Designation
3.Summary of Method
5.1 Back Pressure.-A water
A carefully prepared rock specimen, pressure (generally 0.55 MPa [80
enclosed in a membrane, is placed in lbf/in2]) applied to the specimen to
a triaxial test chamber and back fully saturate it.
pressure saturated. The rock
specimen is then subjected to a given 5.2 Permeability.-The capacity of a
flow rate of water. By measuring the porous or fractured rock to conduct
pressure differential across the liquid or gas (usually water); also
specimen (upstream and downstream called hydraulic conductivity.
from the specimen) the pressure
gradient is determined and the

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 USBR 6310-09

5.3 Equivalent Permeability.-The

permeability of a rock mass,
assuming that the rock mass can be
represented as one uniform and
porous medium over the entire test
interval.

5.4 Other Terms.-See USBR 3910.

6.Apparatus

6.1 General.-Reclamation's flow

pump permeability system, shown on
figures 1, 2, and 3, consists of (a) a
triaxial test chamber, (b) pressure
transducers, (c) one differential
pressure transducer, (d) one LVDT
(linear variable differential
transformer), (e) one high-pressure Figure 2. - Triaxial shear test chamber
syringe flow pump with custom with drain tubes, volume tube, and
stainless steel syringe, (f) a desktop pressure transducer for flow pump
computer with printer, and (g) a data permeability system.
acquisition system.

Figure 3. - Schematic of flow pump

permeability system: (a) driving
system, (b) stainless steel syringe, and
(c) differential pressure transducer.
Figure 1. - Flow pump permeability
system: (a) triaxial test chamber, 6.2 Balance or Scale.-Balance or
flow pump, and drain and volume scale meeting the requirements shown
tubes, (b) data acquisition system, and in table 1.
(c) desktop computer and printer.

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 USBR 6258-09

Table 1.- Balance or scale pressure to within ±0.0035 MPa (±0.5

requirements. lbf/in2).

Test Specimen Balance or Scale 6.8 Triaxial Test Chamber.-A 150-

Size mm (6-in) diameter cylindrical
Diameter Height Capacity Readability stainless steel chamber with a top cap,
mm (in) mm in grams in grams
(in)
piston, top plate, and retainer bar with
50.8 (2.0) 127.0 1,000 00.05 drain tubes for applying back
(5.0) pressure, and a volume tube for
71.1 (2.8) 177.8 2,000 0.10 applying lateral pressure (see figure
(7.0) 2). The back pressure and lateral
152.4 381.0 25,000 10 pressure transducers are mounted on
(6.0) (15.0)
the back pressure and lateral pressure
228.6 571.5 75,000 10
(9.0) (22.5)
tube lines. In this triaxial test
chamber, a cylindrical specimen,
6.3 Timer.-A timing device enclosed by a membrane sealed to
indicating elapsed time to the nearest end plates, is placed and subjected to
1 second. a permeability test under a back
pressure while confined by a
6.4 Specimen Size Measurement designated lateral pressure.
Devices.-Devices used to measure the
height and diameter of the specimen. 6.9 Specimen End Plates.-The end
The devices must be capable of plates must be constructed of a
measuring to the nearest 0.01 mm noncorrosive impermeable material
(0.0001 in) and should be constructed such as aluminum, stainless steel, or
such that their use will not disturb the titanium; each must have a circular
specimen. A vernier caliper is cross section and circular plane
recommended for measuring surface of contact with the specimen.
specimen height and a pi tape for The diameter of the end plates should
measuring specimen diameter. be within ±0.5 millimeter (0.020 in)
of the diameter of the specimen. The
6.5 Water Container.-Of sufficient bottom end plate must be coupled to
size to accommodate the test the triaxial test chamber bottom plate
specimen. to prevent lateral motion or tilting.
The top end plate must be designed to
6.6 Suspension Wire and Specimen receive the piston so that the
Carriage.-For suspending the piston-to-end plate contact area is
specimen to determine its mass in air concentric with the cap. The top end
and water. plate should be constructed in a
manner so that piston play or
6.7 Triaxial Test Chamber "wobble" is restricted to 4 degrees or
Pressure Maintaining and less perpendicular to the top end
Measurement Devices.-Devices must plate. Each end plate must be
be capable of applying and plumbed so air can be flushed from
controlling the triaxial test chamber the end plate. The cylindrical surface
of the end plates to which the

4
 USBR 6310-09

membrane is sealed should be smooth 0.069 MPa (5 to 10 lbf/in2) and a

and free of scratches. The end plates precision of 0.0002 MPa (0.025
must be constructed so that pore lbf/in2) (see figure 3) is used to
pressure measurements can be conduct the test. The differential
obtained from both ends of the pressure transducer is used to measure
specimen. Each end plate shall be pressure changes during the test.
fitted with a porous insert.
6.14 Volume Tube.-A constant bore
6.10 Porous End Plate Inserts.- glass tube supported by a sectional
Porous inserts are manufactured from brass pipe with watertight seals on
silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, both ends. The volume tube is used
sintered bronze, or ceramic. The primarily to visually monitor the
material must not be susceptible to pressure change in the specimen, and
corrosion by rock substances or to create lateral pressure on the
moisture. The proper coarseness of specimen. It also serves as a water
insert depends upon the type of test reservoir and flushing tube when
being performed and the rock being de-airing the system. The volume
tested. The insert should be coarse tube must be able to withstand
enough to develop adequate interlock pressures up to 1.724 MPa (250
with the specimen, but fine enough to lbf/in2). The volume tube assembly
prevent excessive intrusion of rock must be enclosed in a 6-mm (3-in)
particles into the pores of the insert. thick Plexiglas shield to prevent
injury to personnel if the volume tube
6.11 Pore Pressure Transducers.- fails.
Pore pressure transducers are used to
measure the back pressure in the rock 6.15 Drain Tubes.-Constant bore
specimen. The pressure transducers glass tubes supported by a sectional
shall have an accuracy of ±0.25 brass pipe with watertight seals on
percent over their full range. The both ends. The drain tubes are used
transducer is shown on figure 2 and as a water reservoir and flushing tube
can withstand pressures up to 1.72 when de-airing the system, and for
MPa (250 lbf/in2). creating back pressure on the
specimen, and may be used to
6.12 Lateral Pressure Transducer.- monitor the volume of fluid drainage
The lateral pressure transducer is used during the test. The drain tubes must
to measure the lateral pressure applied be capable of withstanding pressures
inside the triaxial test chamber. The up to 1.724 MPa (250 lbf/in2). Each
transducer shall have an accuracy of drain tube assembly must be enclosed
±0.25 percent over its full range. The in a 6-mm (3-in) thick Plexiglas
transducer is shown on figure 2 and shield to prevent injury to personnel if
can withstand pressures up to 1.72 the drain tube fails.
MPa (250 lbf/in2).
6.16 Flushing Tank Constant
6.13Differential Pressure Bore.-Plexiglas tubes used for
Transducer.-A standard pressure flushing air from the triaxial assembly
transducer with a range of 0.034 to with a water-tight seal on one end.

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 USBR 6258-09

One tank is mounted on the from 63.5 mm/min (2.5 in/min) to

differential pressure transducer and 0.0125 mm/min (0.0005 in/min). The
one tank is mounted on each of the speed for each setting is given in table
exit ports of the top and bottom end 2. The syringe piston is pushed by a
plates. solid saddle that rides on the worm
gear. The travel length of the saddle
6.17 Specimen Membrane.-A is 300 mm (12 in).
membrane used to encase the
specimen to isolate it from the triaxial 6.20 Stainless Steel Syringe.-A
test chamber fluid. Membranes syringe is built from a solid stainless
should be carefully inspected prior to steel block 38 mm (1.5 in) square in
use. The membrane should be with a 16-mm (0.625 in) diameter
replaced if any flaws or pinholes are hole, leaving a thick wall and
evident. To minimize restraint to the minimizing the volume of fluid
specimen, the unstretched membrane required to fill the syringe. The
diameter should be between 75 syringe has a bleed port so that the
percent to 90 percent of the specimen system can be flushed easily and the
diameter. The membrane thickness entrapped air can be removed. The
must not exceed 1 percent of the syringe piston is made of a solid
diameter of the specimen. The stainless steel polished rod 12.5 mm
membrane must be sealed to the end (0.5 in) in diameter. The fluid flow
plates with two rubber O-rings. rates (see column 3 of table 2) can be
These O-rings must have an controlled by adjusting the speed of
unstressed inside diameter of 75 injection (see column 2, table 2).
percent or less of the diameter of the
end plate. Table 2. - Flow pump driving
mechanism speeds and flow rates.
6.18 Linear Variable Differential
Transducer (LVDT).-A single LVDT Worm Speed Flow
with a sensitivity of 0.01 mm (0.0001 Gearbox Setting (in/min) Rate
(cm3/s) cm/min
in) and a total travel of 40.6 mm (1.6
1 2.56.35 1.347 x
in) is used to measure the change in 10-1
the length of the rock specimen 2 1.02.54 5.398 x
during the test. 10-2
3 0.51.27 2.694 x
6.19 High Pressure Syringe Flow 10-2
Pump.-A commercially available 4 0.250.635 1.347 x
10-2
single syringe infusion/withdrawal
5 0.1250.318 6.737 x
pump (figure 3) is used for the pump 10-3
drive mechanism. The pump consists 6 0.050.127 2.694 x
of a synchronous electric motor with 10-3
speed reproducibility of 0.5 percent. 7 0.0250.064 1.347 x
The motor is attached through a 10-3
gearbox to a worm gear that drives 8 0.01250.032 6.737 x
10-4
the syringe piston. The gearbox has a
selection knob for 12 discrete speeds

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 USBR 6310-09

Worm Speed Flow 8.3 LVDT.-Calibrate LVDT using

Gearbox Setting (in/min) Rate USBR 1008.
(cm3/s) cm/min
9 0.0050.013 2.694 x
10-4
8.4 Triaxial Test Chamber.-
10 0.00250.0064 1.347 x Calibrate the triaxial test chamber in
10-4 accordance with USBR 1450.
11 0.001250.0032 6.737 x
10-5 8.5 Permeability Test Equipment.-
12 0.00050.0013 2.694 x Permeability apparatus including flow
10-5
pump and syringe must be
recalibrated after 10 permeability
6.22 Data Acquisition System.- tests have been performed or once
Reclamation uses a data acquisition every 2 years, whichever occurs first
system shown on figure 4. according to manufacturer’s
recommendations.
7.Auxiliary Items
9.Test Specimens
• Micrometer calipers
• Hand tools 9.1 Minimize Mechanical
• Photographic camera Damage.-Care is exercised in core
• Centering rod drilling, handling, sawing, grinding,
• Retainer bar and lapping the test specimens to
• Stopwatch minimize the mechanical damage
• Rubber membranes and caused by stress and heat. The test
membrane expander specimens are to be prepared using
• O-rings and O-ring expander the procedure contained in USBR
• Compressed air 6020. It is recommended that liquids
• Vacuum pump other than water be prevented from
• Hoses, tubes, multiport contacting the test specimens. The
manifold, and valves end surface areas of the specimens
• Potable water free of dissolved shall be sufficiently planed that a
oxygen, acids, alkalis, and oils 0.025 mm (0.001 in) feeler gage will
• Feeler gage not pass under a straightedge placed
on the surfaces of the bearing plates.
8.Calibration and Standardization The two opposite end surfaces shall
be parallel to within 0.005 mm/mm
8.1 Pressure Transducers.- (0.005 in/in) of lateral dimension.
Calibrate pressure transducers in
accordance with USBR 1050. 9.2 Use Cylinders.-The test
specimens shall be right circular
8.2 Differential Pressure cylinders within the tolerances
Transducer.-Calibrate differential specified in section 9.1.
pressure transducer in accordance
with USBR 1055.

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 USBR 6258-09

9.3 Ensure Sufficient Size.-The designation should be handled so that

specimen shall have a length-to- their properties are not altered in any
diameter ratio (L/D) of 0.8 to 1.25 way.
and a diameter of not less than 50 mm
(2 in). 11.2 No Air Pockets.-The system
should be thoroughly de-aired so that
Note 2.-The diameter of a rock test air pockets should not be present in
specimen is best when it is at least ten the flow pump permeability system
times the diameter of its largest while the tests are being conducted.
mineral grain. For weak rock types
which behave more like soil (for 11.3 Avoid Shattering.-Pressure
example, weakly cemented should be slowly applied and released
sandstone), the specimen diameter from the triaxial assembly to prevent
should be at least six times the the glass volume tubes from
maximum particle diameter. The shattering.
specified minimum specimen
diameter of about 50 mm (2 in) is 11.4 No Clogged Pores.-Be sure
considered satisfactory in most cases. that the porous platens do not have
When cores of diameter that are any clogged pores. A reduction in
smaller than the specified minimum porosity of the platens may give
must be tested (i.e. larger diameter unrepresentative test results.
cores are unavailable), make a
suitable notation of this in the report. 11.5 No Impurities.-The porous
inserts in the end plates should be
9.4 Avoid Irregularities.-The sides cleaned frequently to remove any
of the specimen shall be generally impurities which may inhibit free
smooth and free of abrupt water flow.
irregularities, with all elements
straight to within 0.50 mm (0.020 in) 11.6 Safety Equipment.-Safety
over the full length of the specimen. shoes should be worn when de-airing
the equipment or placing the
10. Conditioning specimen. Safety glasses should be
worn when applying air pressure to
Represent host rock properties, as far the volume/drain tubes when
as practical, in the rock specimens to saturating the specimen.
be tested. The more accurate the
representation, the more meaningful 11.7 No Spills.-Water spillage in
the more parameters for designing, the area should be cleaned up as soon
constructing, or maintaining as possible.
Reclamation structures on, in, or with
rock will be. 12.Preparation of Apparatus

11. Precautions 12.1Saturation of Porous Inserts and

De-airing of End Plates:
11.1 No Alternations.-Rock core 12.1.1If new porous inserts with
specimens used in this test bubbling pressure greater than 35 kPa

8
 USBR 6310-09

(5 lbf/in2) are to be used for the test, hole in the center of the triaxial test
then completely submerge the end chamber bottom plate.
plate, connecting lines, and porous
insert in de-aired water and boil them 12.2.3 To ensure that pressure
from 8 to 16 hours to ensure that all does not build up in the system when
entrapped air has been removed. the end plate connecting lines are
attached to the fittings in the triaxial
12.1.2 If new porous inserts test chamber bottom plate, open
with a bubbling pressure of 35 kPa (5 valves to allow a small amount of
lbf/in2) or less are to be used for the water to flow from the appropriate
test, then completely submerge the drain tube and flushing tank through
end plates, connecting lines, and the fittings in the triaxial test chamber
porous inserts in de-aired water and bottom plate while the appropriate
boil them for a minimum of 2 hours to end plate connecting lines are being
ensure that all entrapped air has been attached.
removed.
12.2.4 Attach the bottom end
12.1.3 If end plates with plate connecting lines to the
previously saturated porous inserts appropriate fittings in the triaxial test
with a bubbling pressure greater than chamber bottom plate. Close valves.
35 kPa (5 lbf/in2) are to be reused for
the test, then remove end plates, 12.2.5 Attach the top end plate
connecting lines, and porous inserts connecting lines to the appropriate
from the triaxial assembly, fittings in the triaxial test chamber
completely submerge them in bottom plate. Close valves.
de-aired water, and boil them for a
minimum of 4 hours to remove any 12.2.6 Place the triaxial test
entrapped air. chamber into the groove in the triaxial
test chamber bottom plate.
12.1.4 If end plates with
previously saturated porous inserts 12.2.7 Check that all system
with a bubbling pressure of 35 kPa (5 valves are closed.
lbf/in2) or less are to be reused for the
test, then these end plates, connecting 12.2.8 Fill the triaxial test
lines, and porous inserts can be left in chamber about one-half full with
the triaxial assembly for subsequent de-aired water.
tests and de-aired using vacuum.
12.2.9 Open triaxial test
12.2 De-airing the Triaxial Test chamber cap relief valve.
Chamber:
12.2.1 Attach the saturated end 12.2.10 Set the triaxial test
plates with porous inserts to the chamber cap in place and force the
triaxial test chamber bottom plate. cap down until it is properly seated on
the triaxial test chamber.
12.2.2 Place the bottom end
plate with centering dowel into the

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 USBR 6258-09

12.2.11 Insert the piston 12.2.20 Close drain tube valves.

through the opening in the triaxial test
chamber cap until the flange on the 12.2.21 Release the vacuum
piston is resting on top of the triaxial from the volume and drain tubes by
test chamber cap. uncoupling the appropriate vacuum
lines from the vacuum pump.
12.2.12 Open the valves to the
top of the volume and drain tubes. 12.2.22 Reattach the vacuum
hose to the triaxial test chamber cap
12.2.13 Attach vacuum hoses to relief valve to the vacuum source.
the tops of the volume tube, drain
tubes, and the fitting on the triaxial 12.2.23 Open the volume tube
test chamber cap relief valve. drain valve and allow the water level
in the volume tube to drop to about
12.2.14 Attach the other ends of the 635-mm (25-in) level.
the vacuum hoses to a suitable
vacuum source, such as a vacuum 12.2.24 Close the volume tube
pump. Turn on the vacuum pump. drain valve.

12.2.15 Apply a vacuum of 12.2.25 Open drain tube valves

about 140 kPa (20 lbf/in2) for 5 and allow the water level in the drain
minutes. tubes to drop to about the 635-
millimeter (25-in) level.
12.2.16 Release the vacuum to
the triaxial test chamber by 12.2.26 Close drain tube valves.
uncoupling the vacuum line from the
vacuum pump multiport manifold. 12.2.27 Reattach vacuum hoses
Maintain the vacuum in the volume to the tops of the volume tube and
tube and drain tubes. drain tubes.

12.2.17 Open volume tube drain 12.2.28 Displace water back

valve and the volume tube isolation and forth between the volume and
value, and fill the volume tube to the drain tubes and the triaxial test
top of its markings with de-aired chamber by repeating subparagraphs
water from the triaxial test chamber 12.2.16 through 12.2.28 until air
(vacuum is still in the volume tube). bubbles cannot be seen in the tubes.

12.2.18 Close volume tube 12.2.29 If the volume and drain

drain valve. tubes are not full at the end of the
flushing process, fill the tubes by
12.2.19 Open drain tube valves opening valves with vacuum applied
and fill the drain tubes to the top of to the top of each tube. Fill the
their markings with de-aired water volume and drain tubes to the top of
from the triaxial test chamber their tube markings with de-aired
(vacuum is still in the drain tubes). water so they can be drained to the
desired level for testing purposes.

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 USBR 6310-09

12.2.30 Close valves. 12.2.40 Uncouple all vacuum

lines from the manifold on the
12.2.31 De-air the flushing vacuum pump and shut off the
tanks and associated lines and fittings. vacuum pump.
A rubber stopper with a short length
of tubing through the hole in the 12.2.40 Uncouple all vacuum
center of the stopper is inserted into lines from the triaxial assembly, coil
the upper end of each flushing tank. the vacuum lines, and store in a
suitable location for future use.
12.2.32 Attach a vacuum hose
to each tube. Plug the vacuum hoses 12.2.41 Do not drain the water
attached to the top of the flushing from the triaxial test chamber until
tanks into the vacuum source. the end plates and specimen are ready
to be placed in the triaxial test
12.2.33 Allow each flushing chamber as outlined in section 13.
tank to fill within about 25 mm (1 in)
of the top. 12.3 De-Airing the Pore Pressure
Transducers:
12.2.34 Close flushing tank 12.3.1 With the pressure
valves. transducer connecting valves closed,
detach the pore pressure transducers
12.2.35 Release the vacuum from their fittings on the apparatus.
from the flushing tanks by uncoupling Using a syringe, fill each transducer
the appropriate vacuum lines from the with de-aired water.
vacuum pump.
12.3.2 Open valve to allow a
12.2.36 Plug the vacuum hose small amount of water to escape from
to the triaxial test chamber relief the triaxial test chamber. With water
valve into the vacuum source. flowing, attach the transducer for the
bottom end plate to the appropriate
12.2.37 Open valves and allow fitting. Leave the transducer valve
the flushing tank water levels to drop open for the rest of the tests.
to about 25 mm (1 in). Close valves.
12.3.3 Open the second valve
12.2.38 Displace water back to allow a small amount of water to
and forth between the flushing tanks escape from the triaxial test chamber.
and the triaxial test chamber by With water flowing, attach the
repeating subparagraphs 12.2.32 transducer for the top end plate to the
through 12.2.38 until air bubbles appropriate fitting. Leave the valve
cannot be seen in the flushing tank. open. Close the relief valve.

12.2.39 Close valves. 12.4 De-Airing the Differential

Pressure Transducer:
12.4.1 Fill the flushing tank on
the differential pressure transducer
about two-thirds full of de-aired

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 USBR 6258-09

water. Close the volume tube Note 3.-Extreme caution must be

isolation valve to isolate the volume used when flushing the differential
tube and differential pressure pressure transducer because a
transducer from the triaxial test pressure greater than about 70 kPa
chamber. (10 lbf/in2) can damage the measuring
capsule inside the transducer.
12.4.2 Open the valve on the
differential pressure transducer. 13.Procedure
Remove the bottom plate on the
differential pressure transducer by 13.1 Using micrometer calipers,
unscrewing the four cap head screws measure and record the height and
which hold it to the body of the diameter of the specimen to the
transducer. Open valve to fill the nearest 0.01 millimeter (0.01 in) at
bottom plate with de-aired water from three places (lower, middle, and upper
the flushing tank. Open valves to the sections of the specimen). Calculate
volume tube and allow water to flood and record the average height,
over the exposed capsule located diameter, and cross-sectional area of
under the main body of the the test specimen.
differential pressure transducer. With
water flowing, place the bottom plate 13.2 Measure and record the mass
back on the differential pressure of the specimen to the nearest 0.1
transducer while being careful not to gram (0.0001 lb).
entrap air. Close valve to the volume
tube, but leave valve to the flushing 13.3 Wipe clean the surface of the
tank slightly open to relieve any rock specimen. Immerse it and the
pressure which results from porous platens in tap water for 12 to
tightening the cap screws. Tighten 15 hours.
the four cap head screws.
13.4 Fill the triaxial test chamber,
12.4.3 Flush the differential syringe, drain tubes, and volume tube
pressure transducer thoroughly by with de-aired water.
attaching a hand-held vacuum/
pressure pump to the top of the 13.5 Using bleed valves and steps
flushing tank. Open valve to the in section 12, de-air the triaxial test
volume tube and flushing tank and chamber, drain tubes, volume tube,
flush the water back and forth several pressure transducers, and the syringe.
times between the flushing tank and
the volume tube through the 13.6 Carefully drain the triaxial test
differential pressure transducer. chamber, leaving ±13 mm (2 in) of
When this step is complete, be sure de-aired water in the triaxial test
the water level in the volume tube is chamber.
near the full mark, and close the valve
to the flushing tank. Open the 13.7 After specimen and platen
volume tube isolation valve. immersion is complete, take them out
and wipe them clean with a dry towel.
Place the false platens on the top and

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 USBR 6310-09

bottom ends of the rock specimen. 13.17 Perform Saturation Check:

Encapsulate the rock specimen and Apply a lateral pressure of 0.62 MPa
the platens inside a rubber membrane (90 lbf/in2) and a back pressure of
and seal the assembly by placing 0.55 MPa (80 lbf/in2), making sure
suitable O-rings over the top and the valve between the specimen and
bottom platens. Place the assembly in flow pump is closed. Close all other
the triaxial test chamber. pressure valves except the lateral
pressure valve. Connect voltmeters to
13.8 Using the centering rod, the two transducers (lateral and back
center the assembly into the triaxial pressure). Close the ball valve and
test chamber. monitor the voltage change. Take the
final LVDT reading. If the voltage
13.9 Place the top cap and the top changes, then check for leaks and
cap plate on the triaxial shear triaxial ensure that the specimen is fully
test chamber. saturated, as ideally, if no leaks are
present and the specimen is fully
13.10 Bolt the retainer bar on the saturated, the voltage will not change.
triaxial shear test triaxial test
chamber. 13.18 Perform Leakage Check:
13.18.1 Close the valves at the
13.11 Fill the triaxial shear test bottoms of the two drain tubes and the
triaxial test chamber with de-aired volume tube. If no leak occurs, the
water. back pressure transducer and the
lateral pressure transducer will show
13.12 De-air the triaxial test no change. If a leak is detected, trace
chamber using bleed valves. the source of the leak and correct the
situation.
13.13 Install the LVDT and take an
initial reading. 13.18.2 A leak within the
triaxial cell cylinder would show up
13.14 Fill the syringe housing, the in the form of a pressure increase on
pore-pressure transducer housing, and the back pressure transducer. This
the interconnecting tubes with de- pressure increase would occur if
aired water. water is leaking from the cell (higher
confining pressure) into the specimen
13.15 Remove trapped air from the (at a lower back pressure). However,
system by using the bleed valves. a pressure increase recorded by the
back pressure transducer may mean
13.16 Allow 12 to 15 hours for that the specimen is still consolidating
saturation under a back pressure of under the applied effective stress.
0.55 MPa (80 lbf/in2) and a lateral Therefore, if a pressure increase is
pressure of 0.62 MPa (90 lbf/in2) by observed on the back pressure
applying air pressure on the drain transducer, the rate of pressure
(back pressure) and volume (lateral increase should be checked at 15-
pressure) tubes. minute intervals for a total period of
one hour. A continual pressure rate

13
 USBR 6258-09

increase over a period of two hours check and the compliance test until no
would clearly indicate a leakage in air is entrapped in the system.
the system. If the pressure rate
decreases with time as registered by 13.20 Select Syringe Speed:
the back pressure transducer, the Open all valves on the triaxial shear
specimen is still consolidating and the triaxial test chamber except the two
permeability measurement should not outlet valves on the injection and
be attempted before a steady-state back pressure lines. Set the pump
condition is reached. driving mechanism speed at 9 (0.13
mm/min [0.005 in/min]), and switch
Note 4.-A pressure increase inside on the flow pump. Wait at least 10
the specimen does not necessarily seconds and then close the ball valve.
correspond to a voltage increase. A Simultaneously monitor the voltage,
pressure decrease within the specimen being careful not to exceed a 50-mV
suggests that saturation is still taking voltage differential. If a satisfactory
place. steady voltage change occurs (not
exceeding 50 mV), then speed
13.19 Perform Compliance Test number 9 is acceptable for the
This step checks for remaining experiment. However, if the voltage
undissolved air in the system. Close change is too small (lower than 10
the valve connecting the flow pump mV) or too large (greater than 50
and triaxial shear triaxial test mv), then adjust the speed of the
chamber. Set the syringe speed to 9 pump driving mechanism until a
(0.13 mm/min [0.005 in/min]) and satisfactory steady voltage occurs
start the pump. Wait at least 10 (between 15 and 50 mV).
seconds, then close the ball valve
while simultaneously monitoring the Note 5.-If unfamiliar with the
time (t = 0 is the instant the valve is material behavior, a general rule of
closed). Read and record the time it thumb is to always begin with a very
takes for the voltmeter reading to low speed setting and progress with
reach 50 mV to the nearest 1 minute. higher speeds until a measurable
Open the valve and repeat the pressure is obtained.
compliance test with a different back
pressure. If the system is entirely 13.21 Perform Permeability Test:
saturated, the time necessary to attain 13.21.1 After selecting an
a 50-mV reading for the two different appropriate speed setting, close the
back pressures should be identical. A ball valve and start the flow pump to
±2-second deviation is usually inject water into the specimen.
acceptable given the inaccuracy Determine the steady-state pressure
introduced by opening and closing the differential across the rock specimen.
ball valve in addition to using a stop Monitor the voltage readings.
watch. If the two compliance times Materials of very high permeability
do not fall within this range, the (i.e., 1 x 10-2 cm/s or higher) will
system still contains a substantial almost instantaneously jump to a
amount of air. Repeat the saturation "steady-state" condition upon closing
the ball valve. On the other hand,

14
 USBR 6310-09

materials having low permeabilities Hs=height of rock specimen (cm)

(i.e., 1 x 10-4 cm/s or lower) exhibit a γF=specific weight of fluid (kN/cm3)
"delayed" response to attaining AS=cross-sectional area of specimen
steady-state flow. Consequently, (cm2)
reaching a constant peak voltage ΔV=voltage change at steady state
requires several minutes. A plot of (mV)
voltage or differential pressure versus CT =calibration constant of the
time helps significantly in the transducer (kPa/mV) (see
identification of a steady-state figure 6)
condition, especially with materials of
low permeability (figure 5). π 2
As = D
4 2
13.22 Determine and record the
steady-state pressure differential to where:
the nearest 0.01 kPa (0.001 lbf/in2). D =diameter of specimen
An example of Reclamation’s
computer-generated data sheet is 14.3 Calculate the hydraulic gradient
shown in table 3. as follows:
ΔV . CT
13.23 Take photographs of the i = Hydraulic Gradient =
tested rock specimens. HS γ F 3

13.24 After completion of the test, Note 5.-To obtain k in ft/yr, divide
disassemble the test setup and clean the value of k in equation 1 by 9.67 x
the test area and the equipment. 10-7

13.25 Calculate and record the 15.Report

coefficient of permeability (see
section 14). 15.1 The report shall include:

13.26 Prepare a report (see 15.1.1 Source.-Source of

section 15). sample including project name and
location, date of sampling, and, if
14.Calculations known, storage environment. The
location may be specified in terms of
14.1 Calculate the coefficient of borehole number and depth of sample
permeability of the rock core from collar of hole.
specimen as follows:
15.1.2 Appearance.-Physical
q . H s .γ F description of specimen including
k= rock type; location and orientation of
As . ΔV . C T 1 discontinuities, such as apparent
where: weakness planes, bedding planes,
k=coefficient of permeability = (cm/s) schistosity; as well as large inclusions
q=constant flow rate (cm3/s) from or inhomogeneities, if any.
table 2

15
 USBR 6258-09

Figure 5. - Plot of pressure (mV x Ct) versus time.

Figure 6. - Transducer calibration curve: value of CT.

16
 USBR 6310-09

15.1.3 Moisture.-General
indication of the moisture condition
of the test specimen at the time of
testing, such as saturated, as received,
laboratory air dry, or oven dry. Some
cases may require reporting the actual
moisture content as determined by
procedure USBR 5300.

15.1.4 Size.-Test specimen

length, diameter, the ratio of its length
to diameter, and its cross-sectional
area.

15.1.5. Date.-Date of testing.

15.1.6 Permeability and

Gradient.-Calculated coefficient of
permeability and gradient. Example
of Reclamation’s computer-generated
data summary is shown in table 4.

15.1.7Picture.-Color photograph of
the specimen after the test.

15.1.8 Results.-The laboratory

test results shall be reported in
accordance with Reclamation
designations USBR 3000 and USBR
9300.

16.Precision and Bias

The precision and bias for this

designation have not been
determined. Any variation observed
in the data is just as likely to be
caused by specimen variation as by
operator or laboratory testing
variations. Because of the variability
of rock, this test procedure has no
reference value.

17
 USBR 6310

Table 3. - Data sheet.

INDEX CONT.
65W
SAMPLE # CONT SPECIMEN# CONT
42 4
HEIGHT cm DIA cm MASS gm LAT PRESS BACK FLOW
6.80 5.1 253.7 140 PRESS RATE #
125 12
SUB TITLE CONT CONT CONT CONT
TUCSON TER MINAT STOR AGE CAP
PRESS 1i PRESS 2i PRESS 1f PRESS 2f B LVDT i LVDT f
122.833 130.870 126.278 134.196 0.988 .753 .632

PRESSURE S/LINE DATE TIME

KPa
6.268 3 1 25 Jan 14:47:36
-24.390 3 2 25 Jan 14:48:06
-26.331 3 3 25 Jan 14:48:36
-26.808 3 4 25 Jan 14:49:06
-26.954 3 5 25 Jan 14:49:36
-27.062 3 6 25 Jan 14:50:06
-26.853 3 7 25 Jan 14:50:36
-26.383 3 8 25 Jan 14:51:06
-26.596 3 9 25 Jan 14:51:36
-26.237 3 10 25 Jan 14:52:06
-25.980 3 11 25 Jan 14:52:36
-26.043 3 12 25 Jan 14:53:06
-26.217 3 13 25 Jan 14:53:36
-26.282 3 14 25 Jan 14:54:06
-26.067 3 15 25 Jan 14:54:36
-26.159 3 16 25 Jan 14:55:06
-25.844 3 17 25 Jan 14:55:36
-25.767 3 18 25 Jan 14:56:06
-26.859 3 19 25 Jan 14:56:36
-25.229 3 20 25 Jan 14:57:06
-26.198 3 21 25 Jan 14:57:36

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USBR 6310

Table 4. - Summary sheet.

Index No. 65W

Sample No. 42
Specimen No. 4
Height 6.80 cm
Diameter 5.1 cm
Mass 253.7 gm
Lateral Pressure 0.97 MPa (140 lbf/in^2)
Back Pressure 0.87 MPa (125 lbf/in^2)
Flow Rate 2.694E-05 cm^3/s (95.19E-11 ft^3/s)
Spec Wet Unit Wt. 1.826 gm/cm^3 ( 114.0 lbm/ft^3)
Coefficent of Permeability 263.94E-10 cm/s (27.3E-03 ft/yr)
Gradient 49.964

TIME (min) PRESSURE (KPa)

0.0 -32.599
.5 -1.941
1.0 0.000
1.5 0.477
2.0 0.623
2.5 0.731
3.0 0.522
3.5 0.052
4.0 0.265
4.5 -0.094
5.0 -0.351
5.5 -0.288
6.0 -0.114
6.5 -0.049
7.0 -0.264
7.5 -0.172
8.0 -0.487
8.5 -0.564
9.0 0.528
10.0 -0.133

21